Understanding Bitcoin Easily - Introducing our Learn Bitcoin Basics At Bitcoin Policy UK, our mission is to support informed, balanced, and forward-looking discussion around Bitcoin and its role in the UK economy. We believe that better policy starts with better understanding. That’s why we’ve launched a new “Learn” section on our website — a dedicated space designed to explain Bitcoin clearly, accessibly, and without unnecessary jargon. Bitcoin is often discussed in complex or polarising terms, but at its core it is simply a new form of money. One that operates without a central authority and is governed by transparent, verifiable rules. Our new section covers: 
 • What Bitcoin is and how it works
 • The role of decentralisation and the blockchain
 • Why its supply is limited
 • How ownership and transactions function Whether you are new to Bitcoin or looking to deepen your understanding, this is a clear starting point. Start here:  

Bitcoin Policy UK

Bitcoin Policy UK

We champion good policies that will benefit all those in the UK who hold, use and mine Bitcoin

The Structural Risks Of Bitcoin Treasury Companies “Bitcoin treasury company” has become one of the most widely used labels this cycle—but it’s also one of the most misleading. Public companies now hold over 1.13 million BTC (~5.4% of supply), yet the strategies behind these holdings vary dramatically. Some firms simply hold bitcoin as a reserve asset. Others rely on: 
• Equity issuance
• Debt financing
• Structured instruments
• Market premiums to NAV In bullish conditions, these models can amplify returns. But when market conditions shift, the risks become clear: 
• NAV discounts
• Dilution
• Capital market dependence
• Structural tensions (especially around dividends and realised profits) The key distinction investors must understand: 
Owning bitcoin is not the same as owning a company that holds bitcoin. Corporate exposure introduces layers of: * Governance risk * Capital structure risk * Execution risk The takeaway is simple: 
It’s not the label that matters. it’s the structure behind it. Read more:

Bitcoin Policy UK

The Structural Risks Of Bitcoin Treasury Companies

The term “bitcoin treasury company” has become one of this cycle’s defining phenomena, but the label now covers a wide range o...

@Susie Violet Ward @fnew

Cuba’s Blackout Reveals Grid Flaws Bitcoin May Fix Cuba’s recent nationwide blackout highlights a critical weakness in modern energy systems: centralization. When a single power plant failure can remove over half a country’s electricity supply, the consequences are immediate: disrupted healthcare, food shortages, and economic paralysis. But this isn’t just about Cuba. It’s a global infrastructure challenge. A more resilient model is emerging: 
• Distributed renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro) 
• Local microgrids that operate independently 
• Flexible demand from Bitcoin mining to stabilize supply This combination doesn’t just prevent failure, it creates economic viability for renewable projects in regions where traditional grids fall short. Energy resilience, like financial resilience, is increasingly about removing single points of failure. Read the full blog on our website:

Bitcoin Policy UK

Cuba’s Blackout Reveals Grid Flaws Bitcoin May Fix

When Cuba’s electrical grid collapsed in early March, millions of people were suddenly left without power. Homes lost refrigeration, water p...

@Susie Violet Ward @fnew

10,000 BTC for two pizzas in 2010. That single spend kicked off the biggest debate in bitcoin: Can bitcoin only be a store of value, or must it also become real money we use every day? @Susie Violet Ward and @fnew will be debating this on Pizza Day in Bury St Edmunds. See you there 22 May. Who's coming? Drop a comment below. Tickets are available here: https://www.bsebtc.co.uk/event-details/the-pizza-day-thing

How Regulation And Data Collection Are Creating Physical Security Risks New analysis highlights an emerging challenge at the intersection of regulation, data collection and personal security in the Bitcoin ecosystem. Bitcoin transactions are transparent by design and operate under pseudonymity. However, as identity-linked datasets grow through regulatory reporting requirements, KYC frameworks and repeated data breaches, that transparency can become a physical security risk for individuals. Research examining 309 publicly documented crypto-targeted physical attacks between 2014 and early 2026 shows a sharp escalation: • 76 attacks recorded globally in 2025, a 77% increase from 2024 
 • Nearly half involved confirmed torture or physical violence 
 • Weapons were involved in over 50% of cases Many incidents involve coercion to obtain private keys or force transactions, often referred to as “wrench attacks”. At a policy level, this highlights an uncomfortable tension: measures intended to increase financial oversight can also centralise highly sensitive identity and wealth data, potentially creating new vulnerabilities. As discussions around crypto regulation continue globally, it is increasingly important to consider how data aggregation and irreversible digital assets interact with real-world security risks. Our latest article explores this emerging threat:

Bitcoin Policy UK

How Regs And Data Collection Are Creating Physical Security Risk

London, UK - 22nd March 2026. Bitcoin transactions are transparent by design, operating under pseudonymity where activity is visible but identity i...

@Susie Violet Ward @fnew

When AI Agents Start Paying, Lightning Demand Will Soar A major shift in Bitcoin adoption may be unfolding, and it’s not being driven by institutions. According to Freddie New and his AI agent Claudia, autonomous AI agents are emerging as a new class of economic actors capable of transacting, earning, and interacting at machine speed. The challenge? 
Traditional financial systems were never designed for non-human participants. The opportunity? 
The Lightning Network provides a permissionless, programmable payment layer that enables AI agents to transact instantly without banks, KYC, or intermediaries. This creates a powerful dynamic: 
 • AI agents can make hundreds of micropayments per hour
 • They can both buy and sell services
 • They may generate exponential demand for Lightning infrastructure While much of the market remains focused on price and treasury strategies, a new payment economy is quietly forming, one built for machines. This two-part piece explores what this means for infrastructure providers, investors, and the future of digital economies:

Bitcoin Policy UK

The Lightning Infrastructure Play: AI Agents and the Next Demand

The next major wave of Bitcoin adoption may not come from institutions or retail investors but from machines, according to Freddie New, Chief Polic...

@fnew @Susie Violet Ward

Digital ID and Surveillance Systems: Why the UK Should Think Twice The UK government’s consultation on digital identity presents the proposal as a modernisation effort designed to make public services easier to access. But the implications may be far broader. In a detailed consultation response submitted by @fnew, Chief Policy Officer at Bitcoin Policy UK, the organisation warns that the architecture being proposed could become one of the most significant expansions of state surveillance infrastructure in modern British history. The proposed framework would link identity verification, biometric data and access to government services into a single system that could eventually become the primary gateway for interacting with the state. While framed as voluntary and convenient, history shows that administrative systems often become unavoidable through practical necessity once embedded into everyday processes such as employment verification and access to services. The consultation also raises broader concerns around: • Data security risks associated with large identity databases 
 • The potential for function creep and expanded surveillance 
 • Digital exclusion for vulnerable populations 
 • The existence of privacy-preserving alternatives As digital identity systems are debated around the world, it is essential that policymakers carefully consider the long-term consequences of the infrastructure being created. Our latest blog explores the issue in detail and outlines why this debate is ultimately not just technological, but fundamental to British values:

Bitcoin Policy UK

Digital ID: Convenient or Surveillance? Why UK Should Think Twice

London, UK - 15th March 2026. The UK government’s consultation on “Making public services work for you with your digital identity&#x2...

@Susie Violet Ward

Antidote: Building the Home for Bitcoin Entrepreneurs in London and the UK London’s Bitcoin ecosystem continues to grow, and this week was a great example of that momentum. Our strategic partner Antidote, London’s first startup hub dedicated entirely to Bitcoin entrepreneurs, hosted the latest Women of Bitcoin Meetup, bringing together the Bitcoin community and a live Mining panel as part of its Virtual Summit. The panel was chaired by our CEO, Susie Violet Ward, who moderated a discussion with industry experts. Launched in 2025 with £2.5 million in funding from Fulgur Ventures, Initial Capital and private angel investors, Antidote was created to support the next generation of Bitcoin startups building in the UK. The hub provides early-stage founders with: • Free office space for six months
• Mentorship from experienced industry professionals
• Access to investors, legal experts and key networks This week also marked the announcement of Antidote’s first accelerator cohort, featuring startups building across AI, privacy and payments on Bitcoin. Alongside supporting startups, Antidote has quickly become one of London’s most active centres for Bitcoin events, bringing together entrepreneurs, developers and policymakers. At Bitcoin Policy UK we’re proud to partner with initiatives that strengthen the UK’s Bitcoin ecosystem and support the builders shaping its future. Read the full article here:

Bitcoin Policy UK

Antidote: Building the Home for Bitcoin Entrepreneurs in London

London, UK - 8th March 2026. As Bitcoin continues to advance from an emerging technology into a global financial network, the importance of support...

@Susie Violet Ward @fnew

Bitcoin Policy UK 2026 Manifesto Is Sent to All MPs Following The FCA Cryptoassets Consultation Paper On 1 March 2026, Bitcoin Policy UK formally delivered its 2026 Bitcoin Policy Manifesto to all 650 Members of Parliament, following the FCA’s CP25/40 consultation. 2025 marked significant progress, including Bitcoin’s recognition as property under the Property (Digital Assets etc.) Act 2025. That legal clarity was a landmark step. However, regulatory frameworks still risk collapsing bitcoin into a broad “cryptoassets” category, applying uniform assumptions that fail to reflect structural differences between bitcoin-focused firms and token-based ventures. In a recent discussion with Cointelegraph, CEO Susie Violet Ward noted: “Prolonged rulemaking, overlapping regimes and compliance costs that are high relative to market size are discouraging firms from building in the UK.” The 2026 Manifesto outlines four priority reforms: • Remove restrictive rules
• Reverse the ban on retail access to spot Bitcoin ETFs
• Introduce capital gains tax exemptions for de minimis transactions
• Simplify tax and support investment in the UK Bitcoin ecosystem This is ultimately about economic modelling and competitiveness. Capital in this sector is globally portable. Regulatory clarity matters. 2026 will be a defining year for UK digital asset policy. Read the full press release here:

Bitcoin Policy UK

BPUK 2026 Manifesto Is Sent to All MPs Following FCA Consultation

London, UK - 1st March 2026. Bitcoin Policy UK has delivered its 2026 Bitcoin Policy Manifesto to all 650 Members of Parliament, placing Bitcoin fi...

@Susie Violet Ward @fnew

"Capital goes where it is welcome and stays where it is well treated." Our CEO @Susie Violet Ward Violet Ward will be speaking at CheatCode's ‘The Great Realignment’ on Friday 27 March 2026. Join the discussion: 20% off tickets with code BTCPOLICY! Who's coming? cheatcode.co.uk

The UK talks about becoming a global digital asset hub while bitcoin businesses continue scaling elsewhere. Gemini’s departure reflects structural reality, not execution friction. The problem is structural misunderstanding rather than regulatory speed. By categorising everything as “crypto” under a same risk same regulation framework, UK policy fails to distinguish bitcoin companies from token based ventures. These models differ materially. Many bitcoin businesses: * Operate long-term treasury strategies * Hold reserves in bitcoin * Rely less on cyclical fundraising * Maintain globally portable capital This changes their cost of capital, risk profile, and sensitivity to jurisdiction. When compliance burdens are high relative to opportunity, and regulatory transition remains uncertain, mobile capital reallocates. As global institutions increasingly treat bitcoin as infrastructure rather than speculation, mispricing this distinction risks weakening the UK’s competitive position.  The question is no longer whether bitcoin businesses will adapt. It is whether policymakers will engage with the structural shift underway. From 26 - 29 March 2026, CheatCode Conference returns under the theme “The Great Realignment,” examining how bitcoin is reshaping capital markets, energy systems, and business models. Susie Violet Ward will be speaking on these themes and the widening gap between bitcoin business models and legacy regulatory assumptions. Readers can receive an exclusive 20% discount on tickets using code BTCPOLICY on the CheatCode website. Read the full article here:

Bitcoin Policy UK

Why the UK Keeps Misunderstanding Bitcoin Businesses

London, UK - 22nd February 2026. The UK frequently states its ambition to become a global hub for digital assets, but in practice bitcoin businesse...

@Susie Violet Ward @fnew @Peter McCormack

In this episode of ‘On The Record’, we present an audio version of Bitcoin Policy UK’s response to the FCA’s Consultation Paper CP25/40 on regulating cryptoasset activities (submitted 29 Jan 2026). BPUK’s submission stresses a vital distinction: Bitcoin is not interchangeable with issuer-driven “cryptoassets.” https://fountain.fm/episode/jyZRlVKUMbYORmCxs0T7 @Susie Violet Ward @fnew

We’ve submitted our response to the FCA’s crypto consultation (CP25/40). Crypto is not one thing. A meme coin is not an NFT, or a stablecoin or Bitcoin. Treating them all the same leads to bad regulation, higher consumer harm, and lost UK competitiveness. Regulate intermediaries with custody and control,  not open-source infrastructure. Bitcoin is issuer-less, globally liquid, and fundamentally different. UK regulation must reflect that reality. Learn more here:

Bitcoin Policy UK

Why the FCA’s Crypto Framework Risks Failing Consumers and the UK

Bitcoin Policy UK (BPUK) has just submitted its response to the Financial Conduct Authority’s latest consultation on regulating cryptoassets...

@Susie Violet Ward @fnew

“Same risk, same regulation only works if you understand the risk.” A thoughtful discussion at the London Business School on whether the UK’s approach to digital assets is helping or hindering its ability to compete for capital and talent.

Bitcoin ≠ “crypto” and regulation should reflect that. Treating all digital assets as one category flattens real differences in risk, governance, and structure. A decentralised monetary network is not the same as an issuer-led token. Good regulation starts with accurate classification. Read more here:

Bitcoin Policy UK

Why Bitcoin Shouldn't Be Regulated Like Crypto

Regulatory frameworks continue to treat bitcoin and other cryptoassets as a single category, a decision that has shaped how digital asset policy is...

@Susie Violet Ward @fnew

Bitcoin Policy UK is entering a consolidation phase. After three years of evidence-based Bitcoin policy engagement, BPUK will scale back to a maintenance only core due to a lack of sustainable industry funding. Our mission remains unchanged, and our work will stay publicly available. Read the full statement:

Bitcoin Policy UK

Bitcoin Policy UK Enters Consolidation Phase

London, UK - Wednesday, 21st January 2026. Bitcoin Policy UK (BPUK) has announced that it will enter a consolidation phase, transitioning the organ...

Bitcoin Policy UK is entering a consolidation phase. This means scaling back to a minimal, maintenance-only operation, keeping our research, website, and communications active, to ensure continuity of our work supporting evidence-based Bitcoin policy in the UK. Our mission hasn’t changed. This is about sustainability, responsibility, and preserving what’s been built so far. Thank you to everyone who has supported BPUK along the way. Read our CEO statement here:

Bitcoin Policy UK

Announcement from CEO: BPUK Is Entering a Consolidation Phase

After three years helping to build Bitcoin Policy UK, most recently as CEO, I have decided to step down from my role.

Have you subscribed to our podcast yet? “On the Record” is available wherever you get your content. Follow us on @Fountain here: https://fountain.fm/show/BjN75IqanE2DpwJUxG76 In our latest episode, we present an audio version of Bitcoin Policy UK's response to the Bank of England and HM Treasury on the Digital Pound, originally published on 31 May 2023. This paper sets out why a retail CBDC represents a fundamental shift in the relationship between citizens and the state, raising serious concerns around privacy, financial surveillance, programmability, and democratic oversight.

Our CEO @Susie Violet Ward will be speaking on the regulation panel at the London Blockchain Summit 2026!  Panel: "Can the UK Still Win? Regulation, Capital, and the Reality of Competing as a Blockchain Hub" We will discuss UK competitiveness vs. global peers, regulatory frictions pushing firms offshore, capital deployment blockers for institutions, and the key policy levers needed to make the UK an innovation hub.  Come along if you're in London. Tickets:

StudentsCommunityPlatform

The UK is wasting billions curtailing renewable energy, paying wind farms to switch off while burning fossil fuels to balance the grid. Bitcoin mining is the only flexible, scalable “buyer of last resort” that can absorb surplus renewables instantly and stabilise the grid. If the UK wants a real green transition, it can’t ignore Bitcoin mining.  Read more here:

Bitcoin Policy UK

Why the UK Cannot Have a Green Energy Transition Without Bitcoin

The UK’s transition toward renewable energy is already straining under the weight of its own inefficiencies. The core issues are simple; ren...

@Susie Violet Ward @fnew